It’s crunch time for Manchester City in their title fight with Liverpool and Pep Guardiola’s side face a difficult sequence of matches up ahead.
After losing 1-0 to Tottenham Hotspur in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-finals, City have a double-header against the Lilywhites on the horizon - but next up for Guardiola’s team is a trip to face Crystal Palace.
The Eagles have proven to be a problematic opponent for City in recent years and the game has been identified as a potential banana skin for Guardiola’s men in the title race, which could hand the advantage to Liverpool.
However, that will not the case according to a trio of respected pundits, as City have been backed to take all three points from their trip to East London by former Manchester United striker Michael Owen, former Liverpool defender Mark Lawrenson and former Arsenal man Paul Merson.
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You can see what they had to say about City below.
Michael Owen (City win, Betvictor )
City were not at their best against Spurs midweek, but they cannot afford to look ahead to the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final given they have a tough game at Selhurst Park on Sunday.
Indeed, Palace are looking to do the double over City for the first time since the 1972-73 season and this will be a severe test of City’s title credentials. Win and the pressure is back on Liverpool – who entertain Chelsea later in the afternoon.
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If they drop points, then it will be advantage Liverpool – I expect Pep Guardiola’s side to show their class and mettle in what promises to be a terrific game.
Mark Lawrenson (3-0 City, BBC )
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola cannot have been happy with the way his side played in their Champions League defeat by Tottenham on Tuesday, and I am expecting a reaction here.
Palace are safe - or as good as safe - after their win at Newcastle last week and, with only four wins from 16 games at Selhurst Park, their home record this season is not exactly impressive.
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Paul Merson (2-1 City, Sky Sports )
I think Man City win because Palace haven't been great - especially at home. But it's down to pressure, now. They could be 1-0 up and cruising, with five minutes to play. And then from a set play it could be 1-1 and that could be it.
It's getting to that stage. They lacked a bit of cutting edge against Brighton and again in midweek in the Champions League. I don't know if that's them hitting a brick wall.
I think they'll have just about enough here but it'll be a tense game.
You've seen what the pundits have had to say, now it's time to make your predictions!
This week's Footie5 fixtures: Brighton v Bournemouth, Burnley v Cardiff City, Fulham v Everton, Southampton v Wolves, Sheffield United v Millwall.
